According to WEEI’s Alex Speier, the Sox have reportedly traded Casey Kotchman to the Mariners for “a minor-league player to be named later, a major-league role player, and cash,” which reportedly will give them more financial flexibility to take on Beltre’s contract. FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal said the Sox acquired 3B/SS/OF Bill Hall as part of the deal. Hall brings an $8.4 million salary with him, but the Sox will likely save money because the M’s are also sending cash in the deal.

Despite trading Kotchman, the team will also still try to trade Mike Lowell, including a rumored swap for Mets second baseman Luis Castillo. Multiple sources are reporting that trade is unlikely to happen and has been dead for weeks. How that move would help the Red Sox anyway is beyond me.